In view of the adverse weather conditions the Sultanate of Oman is witnessing, and based on the public interest requirements, it has been decided that Monday will be an official holiday for employees of the units of the state’s administrative apparatus and other legal persons and workers in private sector establishments in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman with the exception of the governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta.
Workers whose work requires them to be on duty on this day may be employed on the aforementioned day if necessary taking into account compliance with general precautions and occupational health and safety requirements, provided that they get compensated for this day.
Earlier, the Ministry of Education announced the suspension of classes in various schools in all governorates of Oman on Monday, with the exception of the governorates of Dhofar and Al Wusta.
The decision was based on a weather statement indicating that Oman will be affected by heavy rains and rough climatic conditions. Classes will resume on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the latest weather maps and analyses of the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre show the formation of stratus clouds since early morning with scattered rain falling at sea off the coasts of Muscat and Al Batinah South governorates and on the governorates of Musandam and Al Buraimi. The forecast indicates opportunities for rainfall to cover the rest of the northern governorates.
Aisha bint Juma al Qasmiyah, a Meteorologist at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), told Oman News Agency (ONA) that forecasts indicate chances of heavy thundershowers with downdraft fresh winds and hail that lead to flash floods. The weather condition’s peak impact is expected to be on Monday.
The weather condition is expected to affect the governorates of Musandam, Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Sharqiyah North, Al Sharqiyah South and parts of the governorates of Al Wusta and Dhofar.
Rainfall is expected to be concentrated along the coasts of the Sea of Oman and the governorates of Musandam and Al Buraimi.
MORE RAINFALL
Muscat radar on Sunday had shown continued rainfall of varying intensity, covering the coastal areas of the Sea of Oman and parts of Al Hajar Mountains (Nakhal, Bidbid and Yanqul), with chances of it expanding.
The low pressure has also been bringing in rains in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The weather forecast had expected the rains to appear after 4 pm but the heavy clouds brought down thundershowers by afternoon causing the wadis to flow as in the case of wadi in the Wilayat of Nakhal, Al Batinah South, wadi in Al Amerat, Muscat Governorate and Wadi Faqara, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Al Sharqiyah South Governorate. Qurayat along with Bausher, Seeb, Al Wadi Al Kabir, Ruwi, Al Khuwair, Barka faced the sudden downpour making the motorists to switch on headlights and drive slow.
The weather conditions expected in the coming hours include thunderstorms with hail and heavy rains with active downdraft wind. Risk of flash floods are expected in Musandam, Al Batinah North, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Muscat, Al Sharqiyah North, Al Sharqiyah South and parts of Al Wusta.
The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) advised citizens and residents to be careful and avoid going near They also urged motorists to be exceptionally careful when passing near the mountains, or while on mountainous roads, and watch for falling rocks and landslides.
FULLY PREPARED
The Basic Services Sector at the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) completed its preparations to minimise the impacts of the current weather condition, which is expected to affect Oman’s governorates during the next three days.
The Basic Services Sector activated its operations centre to coordinate efforts of preparation and response to the weather condition.
Moreover, the Basic Services Sector oversees the following services including roads, electricity, communications, water and sewage, fuel and waste management.
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